Convertible truck.



' H. R. BRUAH.

CONVERTIBLE TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. n. 1911.

Patented Jan. 7, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEEF 1.

II vllellrlilllllllllll INVENTOR. zz/arcija 5%"wa/ u.

ATTORNEY.

W I TNESS.

H. R. BRUAH.

CONVERTIBLE TRUCK. APPLICATION HL-ED MAR. 17. x911.

Patented Jan. 7, 1919;

2 SHEETS--SHEEI 2.

Illl

llYi

IN V EN TOR. WITNESS.

OGQI

snares EQWAED 3R. BRUAH, OF CHICAGQ, ILLINOIS, ASSIGIIOR T MOTOR DEVELQPEEEEI'E COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINQIS.

CONVERTIBLE TRUCK.

Specification of Letters Eaten;

Application filed March 1'7, 191?. fieri'al'r lo. 155,395.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, HOWARD R. BRUAH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Convertible Trucks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved truck unit for attachment to the chassis of an automobile by which the automobile power plant may beemployed as a part of the truck, there being reduction gearing carried by the truck attachment to reduce the speed and increase the tractive force of the truck. In

oi this kind have been employed only in i connection withautomobiles in' which the engine and transmission gearing are closely associated, either inthe same casing or in separate casings adjacent each other at the front end of the chassis of the automobile. lhere are, however, many automobiles in which the transmission gearing is closely associated with the difierential gearing carried by the rear axle of the automobile, frequently in the same or connected casings, and my invention relates particularly to a truck unit for use with automobiles of this class. ny my invention the transmission casing is first separated from the diiieremtial casing and the rear axle of the automobile, together with the parts carried thereby, are removed from the automobile chassis and the extension frame of the truck unit is then secured to the automobile chassis and special supporting and connecting devices are employed for supporting the transmis sion casing and connecting the truck driving gearing to the transmission gearing in a manner to inclose the exposed parts contained in the transmission casing. Inasmuch as the transmission gearing is located near the rear end of the automobile chassis, the distance between the transmission gearing and the rear axle of the truck is relatively short and it is desirable to provide for placing the transmission gearing at different heights for diiierent length wheel bases, so that the propeller shaft used in connection with my invention may extend from the transmission gearing to the rear avle of the truck with but little change in directionjrmn the shaft of the transmission gearing with which the propeller shaft is connected andftp accomplish this. I provide a supporting bracketfor the transmission caring having members which may be adusted relatively to each other to secure the desired alincment ior difierent length wheel bases. By my invention 1 also Provide an improved form-of coupling for connection with the shaft projecting from the transmission gearing, so that the coupling itself incloses the parts oi "the transmission gearing which are exposed by the removal of the transmission gearing from the diii'erential gearing of the automobile.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanyin drawings showing one embodiment thereo which are as follows;

Figure 1 shows in plan view the chassis of an automobile having associated transmission and dilierential mechanism to which my truck unit is to be attached,

Fig. 2 shows in plan view the rear end of the automobile chassis shown in Fig. 1 With my truck unit attached thereto,

Fig. 3 shows in longitudinal sectional view the coupling construction usedto con-' nect to the transmission gearing,

Fig. 4c is a transverse sectional view the parts shown in Fig. 2 taken along the line 4l, and

Fig. 5 shows in a view similar to a modified form of supporting braeisesfor the transmission gearing.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in Fig. 1, the chassis l0 oi? the automobile is provided with an engine 11, a transmission casing 12 and a differential casing 13, the transmission casing and the differential casing being secured together as indicated at 14, and the diil'erential casing 13 being mounted upon and carried by the rear axle 15 ofthe automobile as is coinmonly done in the art. The transmission casing 12 is connected by a shaft housing 16 containing the propeller shaft 17 with pivot bearings 18 near the front end of the chassis, so that the rear axle 15 may move vertically relatively to the engine 11, there being a universal coupling 18 between the propeller shaft 17 and the engine shaft. i

In converting the automobile shown in Fig. 1 into a truck by means of my improved truck unit, the diii erential casing 13 is sebarnted from the transmission easinglfi W314:

and the rear axle 1.5 and parts carried there- Patented Jan. i; seen.

diilercnan anxili ary on tndinally with a slip said shaft y of each vertical cusn rercrrcd llcr shaft being nlarlv relatively OAT-1O cular ease illusprojecting end provided with lid for this conprovided with nits outer face (ioni ing --nt 3st, and also ire the key fhe (l8 of sufficiently ring 36 of felt, disposed to seal the grease and oil in work h on through what. be theez'posed face thereof. c is provided with a flange 37 :Q' to one member of the uni The coupli versai coupling 28 connected with war end of the propeller shaft To support the transmission. casing; bracl'et of the construction shown in Fl. may no employed which consists s verse bar 38 of channel or other cross tion, the ends of which are bolted to the side InQll'llJGl'S of the chassis and "frame 2" the truck. The bar 38 has secured ther by bolts, or otherwise a bent bar 39 extends downwardly and below the in mission casing and supports at it mid tion by bolts 40 the lower portion of e c porting plate 4-1 provided with. holes istermg with the bolt holes in the end the transmission casing 12. The end or transmission casing is provided was. a Sllfjiil" der and the plate 4:1 is bored to fit ,said shoulder which, together with, the bolts passing through the holes 42 and the alined holes in the transmission casingsecurely retains the plate 41 in supporting position upon the end of said casing. Threaded rods extend through the bar 38 and hrough lugs elf) carried by the plate 1-1 and are held in the position indicated in Fig. i by suitable nuts so as to assisr in support.- ing the transmission casing and to prevent displacement thereof from its proper position under the action of any torque that may be exerted upon the transmission casing during the operation of the truck. The plate ll.

is provided with a second set 01"? holes &6 for receiving the bolts 20, so that when desired, the transmission casing may he supported in a lower position than that shown in Fig. 4, which is desirable when the truck has a short wheelv base so as to bring the auxiliary propeller shaft 26 nearly into alinement with the propeller shaft '17. The position of the supporting plate 41. shown in Fig. 4:, is that for use with a longer Wheel base. for which condition the transmission casing 12 should occupy a position somewhat higher than for a short vvhcel base.

In the modified. construction of support.- ing bracket shown in Fig. 5, a transverse bar l? is employed resting on the top of the side members of the chassis l0 and the truck frame 20, from which supporting oar a bent bar 4-8 is carried. The transverse bar 27 maybe of channel or other cross-section and is secured in place upon the frame by suitable bolts. as indicated. and the bar i8 is provided at its ends with threaded rods 4;?) carried by said bar, so that the bar 48 may be given different positions vertically rela: tively to the bar 47 by means, ofthe adjust-- ing nuts 50 carried by said threaded rods. The bar 48 is provided with holes 51 registering with the bolt holes in the end of the transmission casing 12, so that the bar may be securely fastened to said casing, and the bar has sufiicient spring to permit placing the transmission casing at different. heights relatively to the bar t? to provide for difi'erent lengths of wheel base for the truck.

While I have shown my invention in the particular embodiments herein described, I do not, however, limit myself to these exact constructions as i may employ known mechanical equivalents thereof Without departing from'the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. lln a convertible truck, the combination of a pleasure-car chassis having a propellet: shaft connected with a transmission casing at the rear end of said chassis, said casing having a ball bearing in its rear wall and a short driving shaft extending there from, an extension frame secured to said chassis for lengthening said chassis to form a truck frame, a bracket extending transversely of said frame for supporting said casing, devices carried by said bracket for supporting said casing at diderent desired heights, a coupling secured to said driving shaft with its forward end bearing upon said casing outside of said bearing and having a recess in its forward end, a packing ring in said recess to seal said bearing, a rear axle carried by said extension frame, truck wheels mounted on said axle, differential gearing for driving saidwheels, a rear propeller shaft between said coupling and said differential gearing, and a universal joint at each end of said rear propeller shaft.

2. In a convertible truck, the combination of a pleasure-car chassis having a propeller shaft-connected with a transmission casing at the rear end of said chassis, said casing having a ball bearing in its rear wall'and a short driving shaft extending therefrom, an extension frame secured to said chassis for lengthening said chassis to form a truck frame, a bracket extending transversely of said frame for supporting said casing, a coupllng secured to said driving shaft with its forward end bearing upon said casing outside of said bearing and having a recess in its forward end, a packing ring in said recess to seal said bearing, a rear axle carricdby said extensionframe, truck wheels mounted on said axle, differential gearing for driving said Wheels/a rear propeller shaft'betwecn said coupling and said differ ential gearing, and a universal joint at each end of said rear propeller shaft.

3. In a convertible truck, the combination of a pleasure car chassis having a propeller shaft connected with a transmission casing at the rear end of said chassis, said casing having a ball bearing in its rear wall and ,a short driving shaft extending there from, an extension frame secured to said chassis for lengthening said chassis to form a truckframe, a bracket extending transversely of said frame for supporting said casing, a con ling secured to said driving shaft having a recess in its forward end, a

shaft connected with a transmission casing at the rear end of said chassis, said casing having a ball bearing in its rear wall and a short driving shaft extending therefrom, an extension frame secured to said chassis, for lengthening said chassis to form a truck frame, a bracket extending transversely of I said frame for supporting said casing, a coupling secured to said driving shaft, a rear axle carried by said extension frame, tru k wheels mounted on said axle, differential gearing for driving said wheels, a rear propeller shaft between said coupling and said differential gearing, and a universal joint at each end of said rear propeller shaft.

In a convertible truck, the combination of'a pleasure-car chassis having a propeller shaft connected with a transmission casing at the rear end of saidchassis, said cas ing having a ball bearing in its rear wall and a short driving shaft extending therefrom, an extension frame Se'ured to said chassis for lengthening said chassis to form a truck frame, a bracket extending trans versely of said frame for supporting said casing, a rear axle carried by said extension frame, truck wheels mounted on said axle, differential gearing for driving said wheels, and driving connections between said driving shaft and said differential gearing.-

6. in a convertible truck, the combination of a pleasure-car chassis having a propeller shaft connected with a transmission casing at the rear end of said chassis, said casing having a ball bearing'in its rear wall and a short drivin shaft extending therefrom. an extension frame secured to said chassis for lengthening said chassis to form a truck frame, a bracket extending transversely of said frame for supporting said casing, devices carried by said bracket for supporting said casing at different desired heights, a rear axle carried by said extension frame, truck wheels mounted on said axle, differential gearing for driving said wheels, and

driving connections between said driving shaft and said differential gearing.

7. In a convertible truck, the combination of a plcasurecar chassis having a propeller shaft connected. with a transmission casing at the rear end of said chassis, said casing having a ball bearing in its rear wall and a short driving shaft extending therefrom, an extension frame secured tosaid chassis for lengthening said chassis to form a truck frame, a hrarlteii i Mil frame :earriecl 1: sing alt 'ratiunling seeurei in i Vrwaro.

recess 2:, l'(" L 'ennion 'i ran'ie iruel; wheels monntel saiil axle elill'erential gearing i'or rlrivn said gearing, and n universal joint al? 1 end or said rear propeller shaft. In a convertible truck, Elm coniliinaii )n '5 pleasure-ear chassis having propel a inner-Mil wll'li a iZiUlSllilSSlOH '1 afil herear nl o said ('l11l,' 5$lS,. l1ll easin iring in rear wall and a. i

shall extending hervl'n'nn frame seenreil to saiil eh form a Cilil frame for a vices harried b a secured to ,e, (lri i :onpling i a rear 'le earried by 5211(l extension 'i'i'raine, lrucl: wheels mounted on. said axle ilil'l'erential g ring or driving said wheels, a rear propeller nhaftx between said Coupling anil saiil differential gearing, and a universal joint at each end of said. rear propeller shaft.

9. in a convertible truck, the combination of a pleasurexzar chassis having a propelier shall ironneeiei'l with a, iransmi sion easing alt the rear end of said chassis tunei having a iall bearing in its; rea. wall and a bllOlli ilrivir sl aft .enili g therefrom, an xle Rmlfiii frame secured to said chassis for lc-ngl'lienin r saiil chassis h am a truck frame means for 111 poi-Ling will easing, a

rouplin swureil lo saiil iiin'ing shaft wiih in said recess to seal said hearing, 1. rear axle carried by Sillfil exiension frame,- truck whee r, mounlecl on Siilll axle, clillerential gearing for lriring saii'l whens, a rear propeller SllHl l between saiil eoupling and said clillerential gearing. anil a universal joint each eiul of said rear propeller shaft. ll). in a ronverlilile truck, the combination of a pleasure-ear chassis having: a propeller shalt connected with a transmission rasing: at the rear en l of said, (,llIlSfiln. said casing: having a lmll h aring' in its rear wall anil a short driving shaft extending tlierrl'rom, an extension f'ame seeureil ro saiil rlnnwia for lenglheni11;;- saiil rhassi, lo l'orni a lrurl; l'ranie, means for supporting s ill easing. a coupling eel :rml in will ilririnn" .slnrll hair a reces in its l'orwaril end a packing Hi in said ri-i'rss in anal Sillil hearing. a rear axle earriml by said miension {BURL}; l'rueli; wheels mounted. on

' eureci to said driving" sanl frame. for

i'lilll l rn el;

sperm W eenreil lo 1 ml (jll'i'V- 1 ln rl q" mh. elninnntml on r ii-wing 1' shall: nelween 0.1 ll'erenlii al arl'i l ll wheels. a rear pro coupling and S1i me. and a unz've joint at each end of sanl rear propeller sheik.

i the eoinhina- 12. in a eonvertilne true 1 ring a propeher ehai i, eonneeieii with n iansmission easnn; r; Llie rear Gilli o'l: sail; chassis, said easing having a h ring in its rear wall and a snort driving! shall efifen'rling' "therefrom, .SlOil one for lengthening said chassis to form a truck frame, attachment means for porting relation to the renr axle, a coupling: se- Sllilf Z. a rear axle carried by said e nsion frame. lrnek wheels inounto on sanl axle, differential gearing for driving" Ezllil wheels. andilrivinn con necl'ion between said rlriring shaft and said zliii'erenlial gearing.

i3. is means for forming a truck from Tug a combined different'wnu'n i'm easing. an exiension for eonneelion 'Wlill the eh is of he lo, Transmission lllQCllZllllhiIl and a l [I )1 ill-ill or forming a par-v e'r' sa d autol a bracket exieinling lransrei e1 -:upporting sairi transmisnion casing, (ls-vices carried by aaial lnraelret for supporting Bil easing at clilieren'r desired lieiglin; a coupling secured to ai-zl trznsiniesion meehenisni wiih ts for-warn end bearing ripen said easing and having a recess in ila forward end, a packing ringin said recess, rear axle earrieil by said. extension tlrenie, iruel: wheels inountetl on 5: iii axle, differential gearing for driving said wheels, a rear propeller snait between aaul coupling ainl said ilifi'erenliial gearing, ainl a universal joint at each end of said 1' ar propelle Rllfl'it. vH. As a means for iioi'inin a trncl: from an antomobih having a coin ined (li'llereniial and transmission easing, an extension ran e for connection with the chassis of the .lulomobile, transmission mechanism anal-a,

caning therefor forming a part of the auto-' saicl resin}; in its new mg uponsaid casing and said frame for supporting said transmission casing, a coupling secured to said transmission mechanism with its forward end bearhaving a recess in its forward end, a packing ring in said reass.

, rear axle carried oy said extension 1e, truck wheels mounted onsaid axle,

differential caring for driving said wheels,

a rear prope ler shaft between said coupling and difierential gearing, and a universal joint 'ateach end of said rear propeller shaft.

15,. As a meansifor formin a truck from an automobile havinga combined diderential and transmission casing, an extension frame for connection with the chassis of the automobile, transmission mechanism and a casing therefor forming a part of the automobile, a bracket extending transversely of propeller shaft,

said frame for supporting said transmission casing, a coupling secured to said transmission mechanism having ward end, a. packing ring in said recess, a

extension frame, truck Wheels mounted on said axle, differential gearing for driving said wheels, a rear propeller shaft between .saidcoupling and said difi'erential gearing, and a universal joint at each end of said rear propeller shaft.

16. As a means for forming a truck from an automobile having a combined difi'erential and transmission casing, an extension frame for connection with the chassis of the automobile, transmission mechanism and a casing therefor forming-a part of the auto- -mob1le, a. bracket extending transversely of said frame for supporting said transmission casing, a coupling secured to said transmission mechanism, a rear axle carried by said extension frame, truck Wheels mounted on said axle, differential gearing for driving said wheels, arear' propeller shaft between said coupling and said di 'erential gearing, and a universal joint at each end of said rear 17. As a meansfor formin a truck from an automobile having a com ined differential and transmission casing, an extension frame for lengthening thechassis of the automobile, transmission mechanism and a casing therefor forming a part of the automobile, a bracket extending transversely of said frame constituting a new support for said transmission casing, a rear axle carried by said extension frame. truck wheels mounted on said axle, and driving connections tween the transmission mechanism and said truck Wheels.

18. As a means for forming a truck from an automobile having a combined dilfercn-- tial and transmission casing, an extension frame for connection with the chassis of the automobile, tran mission mechanism and a casing therefor forming a part of the automobile, a bracket extending transversely of a recess in its for-' said frame for supporting said transmission casing, devices carried by said bracket for supporting said casing at different desired heights, a rear axle carried by said extension frame, truck Wheels mounted on said axle, difierential gearing for driving said wheels, and driving connections between the transmission mechanism and said differs tial gearing.

19. As a means for forming a truck from.

tial gearing for driving said wheels, a rear u propeller shaft between said coupling'and said diflerentialgearing, and a universal joint at each ends/ nf said rear propeller shaft.

20. As a means for forming a truck from an automobile having a combined differential and transmission casing, an extension frame for connection with the chassis of the automobile, transmission mechanism and a casing therefor forming a part of the automobile, a bracket extending transversely of said frame for supporting said transmission casing devices carried by said bracket for supportingisaid casing at difierent desired heights, a coupling secured to said transmission mechanism, a rear axle carried by said extension frame, truck wheels mounted on said wheels, a rear. propeller shaft between said coupling and said differential and a universal joint at each end of said rear propeller shaft.

,mobile, means for supporting said transmls :slo'n casing,

a coupling secured to said transmission mechanism with its forward end bearing upon said casing and having a recess in its forward end, a packing ring in said recess, a rear axle carried by saidextension frame, truck Wheels mounted on said axle, difi'erential gearing for driving said Wheels, a rear propeller shaft between said coupling and said differential gearing, and a universal joint at each end of said rear propeller shaft.

22. As a means for forming a truck from an automobile having a combined differensaid axle, difierential gearing for driving gearing,

ial and transmission casing, an E'Xtt ision frame for connection with the chassis or the automobile, transmission mechanisnrand casing therefor forming a part of the automobile, means for supporting said transmission casing, a coupling secured to said transmission mechanism having a recess in its forward end, a packing ring in said recess, a rear axle carried by said extension frame, truck wheels mounted on said aXle, differential gearingfor driving said Wheels, a rear propeller shaft between said coupling and said differential gearing, and a universal joint at each end of said rear propeller shaft.

23. As a means for forming a truck from an automobile having a combined differential and transmission casing, an extension framefor lengthening the chassis of the automobile, transmission mechanism and a casing therefor forming a part of the automobile, attachment means for supporting said transmission casing in its new relation. to the rear aXle, a coupling secured to said transmission mechanism, a rear axle carried by said extension frame,- truck Wheels mounted on said axle, differential gearing for driving said Wheels a rear propeller shaft between said coupling and said differential gearing, and a universal joint. at each end of said rear propeller shaft.

2a. As a means for forming a truck from an automobile having a combined differential and transmission casing, an extension 7 frame for lengthening the chassis or" the au transmission mechanism and casing therefor forming a part of the automobile, attachment means for supportingsaid transmission casing in its new ation to the rear axle, a coupling secured to said transmission mechanism, a rear axle carried. by said extension frame, truck Wheels mounted on said axle, and driving connecfor an automobile trans projecting shaft and an comprising a hub portion and a tlang portion, said hub portion being nored to enga "e said shaft and having an end conformation to inclose said bearing.

26. A coupling for an automobile trans mission having a projecting shaft and an bearing, comprising a hub portion and. a flan"; portion, said hub portion being transversely of sale.

said coupling and said truck.

messes bored to engage having; an

end conformation to inclcse said bearing an" provided with a recess in its end, and pace:- ing ring in said recess. I

A coupling for an automobile transmission having a projecting shaft and an exposed bearing, comprising a hub portion and afiange portion, said huh portion being bored to engage said shaft and having end conformation to inclose said bearing and provided With a recessin its end, and a patio a ing ring in said recess, end bein conformed to rest against the casing or transmission around said bearing 28. As a means for supporting a transmission casing from the frame of an automobile, a bar substantially equal in length to the 'Width of said frame, devices for rigidly securing said bar to said frame, and connecting mechanism carried by said bar ior removably engaging the transmission casing, said connecting mechanism having 9 ity of engaging positions for suppo said casing at different desired h ights relatively to said bar.

29. in a convertible truck, cornbinaso ti n of a pleasnrecar chassis having a pro pelier shaft connected with a lransmission casing at the rear end of said eh is, said casing having a short drivin she ing therefrom, an extension said chassis for lengthening form a trnclr frame, a brack t id frame J: g, 5; coupling secured llilTlsaid C2153 mission mechanism, a d i fing connections and said rear d i 3G. in a convertntrack, the

asure-car chassis l1&"ifl*,

said transini a coupling 4 mechanism, a connection driving in Wit my name til, 

